Step back in time as Feast of the Hunters' Moon Festival returns this weekend

Noe Padilla, Lafayette Journal & Courier
·2 min read

LAFAYETTE. Ind. — This weekend, the rivers of time will flow back to the 18th century as voyageurs land off the Wabash river to celebrate the Feast of the Hunters' Moon.

In hopes of rekindling the historic event, thousands of participants will be roaming Fort Ouiatenon as they react in French, British and American military units' period attire. There will be period artisans, craftspeople, musicians, voyageur canoeists, civilian encampments and Native American cultural presentations about the time period.

The West Lafayette event aims to recreate the annual fall gathering of the French and Native Americans, which took place at Fort Ouiatenon, a fur-trading outpost established in 1717.

Scenes from the 53rd Feast of the Hunters' Moon, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021 at Fort Ouiatenon in West Lafayette.
Scenes from the 53rd Feast of the Hunters' Moon, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021 at Fort Ouiatenon in West Lafayette.

This year's event will host several new educational programs by the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, which will teach guests wigwam building and cattail mat weaving.

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There will be performances from Heritage Musick and Daunce Society, opera singer Audrey Johnson, with "Of Thee I Sing," Dennis Stroughmatt et L'Esprit Creole, and many more.

Families will also be able to enjoy other attractions that include French and Native American music and dance, fife and drum corps performances, military drills, fashion shows, games and contests and hands-on activities: costume try-on, candle-dipping, storytelling, bead bracelet making, cross-cut sawing and tomahawk throwing.

The event will be held Oct. 1 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; and on Oct. 2 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Fort Ouiatenon Historic Park, 3129 South River Road, in West Lafayette.

Canoes are rowed towards the 53rd Feast of the Hunters' Moon, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021 at Fort Ouiatenon in West Lafayette.
Canoes are rowed towards the 53rd Feast of the Hunters' Moon, Sunday, Oct. 10, 2021 at Fort Ouiatenon in West Lafayette.

According to the National Weather Service, folks should expect sunny skies on Saturday, which is expected to hit a high of 73 degrees, and on Sunday a high of 71 degrees.

Citybus will be offering shuttle buses to the event for a nominal fare. Shuttles will run continuously to and from the free parking lot located at Ross-Ade Stadium on Joe Tiller Drive, 8:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Saturday and 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

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How to buy tickets

Tickets can either be purchased online or at certain locations:

  • PayLess Supermarkets

  • Fountain Trust Bank (formerly Farmers State Bank)

  • First Merchants Bank

  • Purdue Federal

  • Wolfe’s Campground

Ticket pricing

Adult one-day pass

  • Advance Price – $10

  • Gate Price – $13

  • Weekend Pass – $18

Child (4-16) one-day pass

  • Advance Price – $5

  • Gate Price – $7

  • Weekend Pass – $9

Family pass – (2 adults and up to 4 children, good for one day only)

  • Advance Price – $30

  • Gate Price – $35

Children younger than 4 are admitted for free.

Weekend passes are available at the Tippecanoe Battlefield Museum, the Frank Arganbright Genealogy Center or online.

This article originally appeared on Lafayette Journal & Courier: Feast of the Hunters' Moon Fest back in West Lafayette this weekend